Writer's Block: When your imaginary friends won't talk to you.
"You can't think yourself out of a writing block. You must write yourself out of a thinking block." John Rogers
I love that first line, but it's the second one that holds truth. It's been months since I've written. Not just here. I haven't written anything since October. Our usual Christmas letter became a Photo Card. I enjoy doing a Christmas letter and try to put a personal twist into it. In the past I've described the signs of the season in Florida (foggy mornings and strawberry fields being prepared for planting). I've re-written the lyrics of a Christmas song. One year I made our kids write their own paragraph and sign it. This year, I had no imagination, and reeling off a recap of the year just didn't work for me.
I've looked inside to see what was the matter, but I really don't know. In my experience, people start to withdraw from communication when they are dealing with stress. It may be emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one, or the end of a relationship. Sometimes the actual work of living our daily lives become so time consuming there is no time to reach out to friends. We just go through the day, putting one foot in front of the other, doing whatever has to be done next. Illness also has a way of separating us from people.
I've looked at all of that, and nothing rings true. I could feel myself detaching last fall when we were traveling. I enjoyed each day as it happened and felt little need to share it with the rest of the world. True confession leads me to admit we were dealing with some health issues that definitely impacted my need to Blog, but I'm still not sure that was it.
At first I wondered if anyone would notice. People were pretty quiet. but recently, a few have started asking when I was going to start writing again. In talking it over with a fellow writer she gave me some encouragement. "Taking a break is often a good thing," she said. "You'll know when you're ready."
The other day I checked my blog and noticed a couple of drafts that were never completed. I felt a new spark. The winter is over and spring is beginning. I think it's time to pick up the pen, or in this case, tap away on the keyboard and start sharing new thoughts.
I hope, dear reader, that you're ready!
Food for thought: Have you ever experienced a season of life where you pulled away from people in an uncharacteristic way? What was it? ..... if you don't mind sharing, post it in a reply.
